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Smart meters

(110 Posts)
Germanshepherdsmum Mon 15-Jul-24 18:16:03

I have received numerous emails telling me that I should have a smart meter installed. My current meter works perfectly well and I cannot be compelled to change it. I simply ignore the emails. Nobody can be compelled to have their meter changed to a smart meter if it’s functioning properly.

winterwhite Mon 15-Jul-24 17:55:49

Last time we had a phone call and was told ours 'needed replacing' I asked why, saying I'd lived in houses with meters far older than our current ones, and never heard of one being declared 'obsolete'. Of course if they break down you'd be in their hands, but has anyone come across a well-functioning meter in an ordinary house really being obsolete.

When I asked whether it was compulsory and he said no but they were "mandated offer them".

BlueBelle Mon 15-Jul-24 17:52:03

About two years ago they insisted I had one I had resisted but gave in, they came to fit it, took my old meter out, were going to fit the new one, when they got a phone call that there was a problem and to put the old one back in, they did, and I ve never heard another word since !!!

LOUISA1523 Mon 15-Jul-24 17:32:11

Jaxjacky

No, not compulsory, but you may have no option if your current meters have become obsolete, as a lot have, are unrepairable or can’t be replaced by another non smart meter.

This is what happened with my mum...her old one was obsolete....so as a compromise they fitted the smart meter ...but didn't flick on smart option ....so in essence a normal meter if you like ...she's EDF

Sparklefizz Mon 15-Jul-24 13:34:51

I resisted having one for years but in the end I wanted to take advantage of a good deal and a smart meter was compulsory with that deal. I've been fine with having it since then.

Granmarderby10 Mon 15-Jul-24 13:24:30

Well there you go🤗 Mollygo

Notagranny44 Mon 15-Jul-24 12:36:29

They told us some time ago that we "needed" them. When they came to look at our old, thickwalled stone-built house, they couldn't get a phone signal near the meter, so gave up and went away! They haven't bothered us since!

Jaxjacky Mon 15-Jul-24 12:33:58

No, not compulsory, but you may have no option if your current meters have become obsolete, as a lot have, are unrepairable or can’t be replaced by another non smart meter.

pably15 Mon 15-Jul-24 12:33:18

unless the law has changed , then you can refuse to have one installed,,,I won't have one either...

Mollygo Mon 15-Jul-24 12:28:54

I’ve just had a phone call from our suppliers saying they NEED to install smart meters for our gas and electric.

I asked if that was a new law that said we need to have them. She said, “No it’s not a law, but you need to have them.”
I said no thank you.

She persisted in her insistence that we need to have them installed.
I asked if the call was being recorded and said I hoped it was, because her insistence sounded like attempted coercion and that is illegal.
She put the phone down.

Do we NEED to have them?